My guest today is Linda Dumpe. In this conversation we explore the mental health impact that living life through social media can have, and how the need to keep up with everyone and present an outward image of the perfect life can really take a toll on one’s wellbeing. We also explore the stresses associated with trying to launch a hotel marketing agency in the midst of a global pandemic, and some of Linda’s strategies for managing such a massive amount of uncertainty.

In this conversation, we explore the impact of porn addiction on Joshua’s life, and how something which is viewed as relatively commonplace nowadays has the potential to turn into something incredibly damaging if left unchecked. This is by far the most candid conversation I’ve had about a subject that can be a little sensitive, and the perspectives and insights that are shared in it will surprise you.

My guest today is Sarah Ratekin. Sarah is the Chief Happiness Officer at a global corporation and the owner of Happiness Is Courage Inc. She has spoken at conferences across North America, facilitated numerous workshops on workplace excellence, and worked with groups from 1 to 200+ to discover and embrace their personal strengths, ambitions, and relationship goals.

My guest today is Dr. Robb Kelly PhD. Robb Kelly, Ph.D. is a world-renowned addiction expert who believes in treating the problem, not the symptoms. He has worked for many years helping addicts and alcoholics to RECOVER their lives. Dr. Kelly’s philosophy may seem unconventional and unorthodox. But, they are based on extensive research and behavior studies that he conducted over the last 20 years. He pulls the disease out of his clients and empowers them to fight their disease head-on.

My guest today is Derek Bylsma. Derek is Executive Director, Partner, and Senior Counsellor at the nationally renowned Millennium Counselling Centre, overseeing the Intensive Treatment Program as well as handling an individual caseload, specializing in addiction and treatment of co-occurring disorders. In this conversation, we explore Derek’s career journey from professional sport and into the mental health space, how to take an athlete's mindset, and apply it to the business world.

My guest today is Byron Morrison. Byron is an executive coach who helps CEOs handle the shadow side of success, and stop operating from a state of mental emergency, so they can make better decisions, execute without overthinking, and handle new levels of pressure. He does this with his EVOLVED CEO program, which draws upon his diverse experiences in the business world, health, nutrition, and psychology, and helps his clients to quite literally up-level their brainpower.

My guest today is Armando Cruz. Armando is a coach, author, & business owner, and his mission is, to quote: "to help you eliminate pain and optimize your 7 Healths so you can show up powerfully in your relationships, and live a more vibrant, service filled life." In this conversation, we explore the 7 healths that Armando helps his clients to optimize. We also dig into his business journey, and his passion for ultra-marathon running, and how controlled suffering can be incredibly...

My guest today is Billy Garton. Billy is a 21-year-old professional athlete and entrepreneur. He owns a social media marketing agency set to do 6+ figures in its first year, whilst simultaneously playing professional soccer in San Diego. Billy has successfully combined his passions for football and business, fighting through a lot of adversity to reach his current position. He is showing no signs of stopping.

My guest today is Ryan Miller, a coach and a consultant who is relentless in the pursuit of other people’s success. Ryan’s niche is focussed upon exploring the mindset of success, and he helps people to develop the skills they need to perform at the highest level. Ryan is also a survivor of the route 91 mass shooting. We explore the experience of being involved in a mass shooting and the longer-term impact that the trauma of the event had on his health and wellbeing.

My guest today is Dennis O’Connor. Dennis is a medical professional who is on a mission to eliminate the confusion and mystery that surround the science of health & happiness. In this conversation, we explore Dennis’s experiences in intensive care, the impact that using motivational sales techniques can have on those with addiction problems, and how to effectively manage mental health issues without the use of pharmaceuticals.

My guest today is Michelle Pein. Michelle is an international Holistic Life Coach, who draws on her corporate background, and helps clients all over the world who are feeling lost & stuck in their current career and life. She helps them to find their purpose, & create a life they love. In this conversation, we dive into Michelle's experience in the corporate world. We also explore her experiences with acute paralysis, and the struggles she had thereafter. Enjoy!

My guest today is Cory Arth. Cory serves as the general physical therapy counsel at UP Clinic in Shanghai. Cory is a director of FitFam, a community that was started in Shanghai with the aim of making fitness accessible to everyone. He is also an amateur endurance athlete and recently completed an IronMan in Langkawi, Malaysia. In this conversation, we dig into Cory’s educational background, his work with elite NFL players and other athletes, and his journey to China and business efforts.

Thames is the founder of gre3n, a sustainable business founded on the principle that the first order of business is to give back. The 3 in gre3n represents the 3 B’s that form the core of the company philosophy: ‘Believe’, ‘Balance’ and ‘Be Different’. In this conversation we explore Thames’ entrepreneurial journey, his spiritual journey, and how the darker times in his life, including overdose, served as the spring board for lasting transformation.. Enjoy! http://gogre3n.com

My guest today is Dr Kimberley Carder. Dr Carder is a clinical psychologist who is developing her career around the education and treatment of mental health disorders. In this conversation, we explore Dr Carders experiences competing in the combat sports arena, her PsyD thesis which looked into the subjective experiences reported by users of sensory deprivation tanks, and her research into other alternative therapies for mental illness. Enjoy!

Dorothy Dao is a BJJ brown belt under Ralph Gracie, and though her home gym is Berkeley, California, she is far more likely to be found travelling the world. She's an active BJJ competitor, an avid foodie, and a digital nomad. We explore Dorothy’s competition experiences, travelling as a solo-female and competing in a typically male-dominated sport, as well as her personal experiences with anxiety, and in telling her Asian parents she won't be going to law school. Enjoy!

Richardson is an elite level spartan race competitor who recently represented his country of Venezuela at the Spartan world championships in Lake Tahoe, and crushed his hand under a tyre. In this conversation we dive into Richardson's experiences on the course, and explore his thoughts on the transformative power of obstacle course racing, and how anyone can use the Spartan Race as a platform to become the best possible version of themselves. Enjoy!

Adrian is an executive coach, investor, and business mentor to some of the most successful young entrepreneurs the world over. Adrian’s unique background and experiences as a member of the Australian armed forces, and transition from soldier to investor to coach give him a unique perspective mental health. In this conversation we take a deep dive into Adrian’s personal experiences with mental health, his time in an asylum, and coping with the suicide of his best friend when on deployment.

My guest today is Greg Nance. Greg is the CEO of dyad.com and a brooks running sponsored ultra marathon runner. He’s a graduate of the Cambridge University Judge school of business and a recipient of the White House Champion of change award from Barrack Obama. Greg recently completed the world marathon challenge, running 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days. We touch on Greg's experiences with depression, and his views on the transformative impact mentorship can have on someone's life.

My guest today, is Albin Warin. Albin is a serial entrepreneur from France, and has been involved in startups in social media, fashion, and more recently professional training solutions in the domain of positive psychology - The Happiness Architect. His background is in philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience. In this episode we explore Albin's entrepreneurial journey, dig into "The 2 R's", and dive into the experiences that lead him to founding his current project: The China Happiness Project.

My guest today, in keeping with the jiu jitsu theme, is Matt Hutner. Matt is a first degree black belt under professor Chet quint. He’s the president of the Vitaco health group, and was the first undergraduate to Yale University to write their thesis in Chinese. In this conversation we explore some of Matts professional journey, his experiences with mental health struggles, and how jiu jitsu has bled into other areas of his life. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review!

Rolling forward is dedicated to talking about mental health and sport, and the interplay between the two. My guest today is Kemal Akagunduz, head BJJ coach at Absolute MMA Shanghai. Kemal is a brown belt under Lachlan Giles, as well as being Muay Thai coach, a linguist who speaks 4 languages, a philosopher and a closeted world of Warcraft nerd. I hope you enjoy this wide ranging conversation, feedback is welcomed as ever!

Hello everyone and welcome to the first episode of the rolling forward podcast. I am your host, Ben Baldieri, and thank-you for tuning in. On this podcast I will be talking about mental health and sport with various guests, and the interplay between the two. My guest today is Oki Alexander, a fitness entrepreneur based in China who is building an early childhood education business focussed on the holding of physical and mental space, and teaching young kids how to manage themselves. Enjoy!